Rockies searching for pitching during offseason

Colorado not ready to part with Fowler to upgrade staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As dreadful as the Rockies' rotation was last season, the bullpen, burdened by the heaviest workload in baseball history, wasn't much better.

The relievers finished with a 4.52 ERA, third worst in baseball, while logging a major-league record 657 innings.

So it should not come as a surprise that the Rockies are aggressively looking to add a late-inning arm, possibly someone capable of closing on occasion, here at the winter meetings.

A right-hander? A left-hander? There's no preference.

"We need help getting outs," said director of major league operations Bill Geivett, taking a break from meeting with the coaching staff in the Rockies' suite at the Opryland Resort.

The Rockies pursued Jordan Walden in a trade before the Angels shipped him to the Braves for starter Tommy Hanson, and kicked the tires on free agent right-hander Joakim Soria before he agreed on a two-year deal with the Rangers on Monday.

Regardless, if the Rockies acquire a starter, their rotation will be clouded with questions. Jorge De La Rosa -- who opted out of pitching winterball because of a left knee inflammation that has now healed -- Juan Nicasio (knee surgery) and Jhouyls Chacin (right pectoral) all missed significant time last season.

Geivett acknowledged that teams have asked about center fielder Dexter Fowler, the club's most valuable chip to acquire pitching.

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But he made it clear that the Rockies are not shopping the homegrown player, saying that they would have to be overwhelmed with an offer to move him. Would the Phillies' Vance Worley and an additional Double-A or Triple-A arm be enough?

Geivett can't talk about other team's players, per MLB rules, but discussed the pitching issue in broader terms.

"What we are looking at in a (starting) pitcher is the reliability factor. We feel like we have talented pitchers, but some of them are still getting their game together," Geivett said. "Anyone we would look at would be more reliable at this point in their career."

The Rockies' rotation as stands is De La Rosa, Chacin, Nicasio, veteran X, with Drew Pomeranz, Tyler Chatwood, Christian Friedrich and Josh Outman competing for a final spot. The Rockies have no plans to pursue Miami's Ricky Nolasco, a pitcher the Rockies have liked in the past, after he demanded a trade Monday.

Which brings us back to the bullpen. New Rockies manager Walt Weiss has talked about the team re-establishing their homefield dominance. He has long advocated the theory that the Rockies' starter just needs to outlast his opponent at Coors Field, while leaning on a strong bullpen. Weiss was a member of the Rockies' first playoff team in 1995 that featured a strong offense and a throng of versatile relievers.

The Rockies don't need a closer, but would like to provide another power arm to help Rafael Betancourt who posted a 2.81 ERA last season but will be 38 in April. The Rockies idea is to get a reliever who could compete for the ninth-inning role with Betancourt and potentially bridge the gap before left-hander Rex Brothers is ready.

Chad Bettis, another top prospect the Rockies projected as a future closer last winter, missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. He has made progress this offseason, suggesting he can return to health in spring training.

Colorado is also inquiring about free agents such as Jason Grilli, who has a robust market. Right-hander Peter Moylan, who was non-tendered last week, fits the profile of the type of reliever that might interest the Rockies. Moylan performed well against the Rockies last September in his return from an arm injury. Looking to add bullpen depth, separate of a late-inning arm, a Rockies' official confirmed that the team has called about left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth, a free agent. He has attracted interest from multiple teams, including the Dodgers.

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